The experiences of people who sell or exchange sex and their interaction with support services: lived experience engagement
This research informs our commitment to develop a model for Scotland which effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostitution. It seeks to map service provision in Scotland, and gathers lived experience input on service experiences.
6 Lived Experience: Future Service Design
For the final thematic area, participants were asked about support which may have helped them in the past, and what would be helpful for them currently. Their responses to these formed the basis for this section which seeks to address Research Aim 3:
To gather views from those with lived and living experience on future service design.
Additional suggestions were drawn from participants' suggestions on what would facilitate ease of access to their current service, and past experiences. The data is summarised in Table 7.
| Future Service Recommendation |
Key elements for consideration |
|---|---|
| Improved Knowledge/Understanding |
Increased knowledge in mainstream services Specialist mental health support Specialist sexual health services Appropriate and safe housing |
| Joined-up and Partnership Working |
Cohesive support planning Fast-tracked benefits Shared awareness of risk One stop shop/Hub set-up (for some) |
| Combination of practical and emotional support |
Options for projects around social change etc. offered as an addition, not an alternative |
| Range of support services for people at different stages or with different experiences of selling or exchanging sex |
Exiting Services Support for those who have been trafficked Services for people who do not wish to exit |
| Long Term Support |
Including support for people many years after they have been involved Flexibility around disengaging and re-engaging |
| Clear Advertising |
Who is eligible for support e.g. men/women e.g. Sugar Dating[8] Explicitly state people who sell or exchange sex are welcome Clear service offer Clear referral routes |
| Improved Accessibility |
Located on bus routes Outreach Drop-in services Open at evenings/night Translation available quickly |
| Appropriate physical environment |
Safe/Calm/Clean Managed to avoid crowds Being seen entering will not reveal involvement Options to meet elsewhere Female only spaces |
| Improved addictions services |
Specialist alcohol support Support off methadone Option of longer-acting opioid replacement Detox Rehab – all female available Safety net if unable to collect methadone Nuanced understanding of the interplay between selling or exchanging sex and addiction |
| Improved public attitudes/understanding |
To reduce judgement/stigma |
| Pre-emptive support offer |
Safety planning including harm reduction Information on realities/risk/alternatives Education in schools - Discussion of social issues
Improved employment support |
| Groups |
For people at different stages e.g. exited women Activities Building social networks Education around trauma |
| Opportunities for continued engagement |
Peer Facilitators Platforming people visible in exit or recovery Continued opportunity to influence service design |
Contact
Email: anthony.nevin@scot.gov
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback